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I had the privilege of interviewing Cuphead composer Kris Maddigan
We talked about his process for composition, the power of reading and studying those who’ve gone before you, and a simple but powerful principle for success as a video game composer.
KRIS’ READING LIST:
JAZZ THEORY & BIOGRAPHIES:
Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble – Berklee Press
Mark Levine books
Jazz Composition Theory and Practice – Berklee Press
Henry Mancini – Sounds and Scores
Barbershop Arranging Manuel
Scott Joplin Complete Piano Works
They All Played Ragtime – Harriet Janis and Rudi Blesh
Early Jazz and The Swing Era – Gunther Schuller
Duke Ellington, Jazz Composer – Ken Rattenbury
Bill Dobbins – Jazz Arranging and Composing, A Linear Approach
Gary Lindsay – The Jazz Arrangers Manual
GENERAL CREATIVITY:
Peak: How to Master Almost Anything – K. Anders Ericsson
Drive: Daniel H. Pink
Mastery: Robert Greene
The Creative Habit: Twyla Tharp
Payoff: Dan Ariely
Ignore Everybody: Hugh MacLeod
The Talent Code: Daniel Coyle
Talent is Overrated: Geoff Colvin
Creativity: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Flow: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Steal Like an Artist: Austin Kleon
Jonathan Lethem: The Ecstasy of Influence
The Gift: Lewis Hyde
Free Play: Stephen Nachnanovitch
David Lynch – Catching the Big Fish
In this interview, I sit down with the insightful Kris Maddigan, who composed one of the most originative and captivating soundtracks for the incredible game, Cuphead.
Our conversation is candid, raw, and fueled by bourbon. We go on tangents about Paul Simon, the tapes Kris had in his car growing up, the hard life of a freelancer, and more.
We chat about what he learned from Cuphead, how he views himself in the wake of Cuphead’s success, and what’s next for him.
His advice for young composers is some of the best I’ve heard, as well.
Thanks for listening!
This interview is also available on YouTube